Washington Secretary of Health Mary Selecky to retire

Washington State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky plans to retire from state service and return to her longtime home in Colville, the Washingtion State Department of Health announced Tuesday.

Selecky informed Gov. Jay Inslee of her plans this week, and has agreed to stay on until a new secretary of health is found, the department said in a press release announcing her decision.

Details from the announcement:

Selecky has served three governors since first being appointed “acting secretary” by Gov. Gary Locke in October 1998. Her nearly 15 years as Washington’s secretary of health make her one of the longest serving state health leaders in the country.

Before being named secretary, Selecky was the administrator for the Northeast Tri County Health District in our state for nearly 20 years, and marks 38 years in public service this year.

Under Selecky’s leadership, Washington’s adult smoking rate has dropped 30 percent, and youth smoking rates are down by half; childhood vaccination rates are the highest in years.

One thought on “Washington Secretary of Health Mary Selecky to retire”

Your years of service at the state level,following your years of service at the county level have been remarkably beneficial to the health of Washington citizens.

I always admired your cool-headed approach to problem solving . . . and I’m one of many who are very grateful for the years you have dedicated to public health.

Enjoy your retirement because you have earned every minute of it!

Cordially – Lee Minto

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